A razor haircut is a style of haircut achieved with the primary cutting tool being a razor blade. The blade is used to create multiple layers of hair. A razor haircut can be used on hair of any length. The style is more dependent on the type of hair being cut than the length of it.
It is often easy to confuse a layered cut with a razor cut. Both styles are very similar in that in both cases, the hair is cut in layers, with the shorter layers starting at the top of the head, progressing to longer layers farther down. Despite this similarity in the basic style, how the cuts are accomplished and the end result are quite a bit different from one another.
When looking at a layered cut, the overall appearance is a smooth, blended look. The length of each layer is consistent all the way around the person’s head, and each layer melts into the next one almost invisibly. Layering works well on most kinds of hair, including curly hair, where each layer ends with a mass of curls, resulting in a cascading effect from top to bottom.
A razor haircut does not work well for all kinds of hair. It is not generally considered a good choice for people with thin, straight hair. The razor haircut also does not lend itself well to curly hair, as the razoring effect tends to be lost amid the curls.
The general idea of a razor haircut is to create layers, but not the smooth, seamless layers of a layered haircut. Instead, each section of hair has a slightly different length. The overall effect of a razor haircut is a rough, choppy look, one that cannot look smooth no matter what is done to it. During the process of cutting the hair, it is also textured with the razor in many places, adding to the choppy look.
Ultimately, a razor haircut is not for everybody. The hair ends up looking thin, often unkempt, and there is no way to smooth it out once it has been cut. Long hair looks wispy, short hair won’t lie flat, and medium length hair often just looks messy.
For those who like the look of a razor haircut, however, the cuts can seem dreamy and free-spirited. Wearers have a just-rolled-out-of-bed look that many strive for, and the style requires minimal care. Wearing a razor cut provides a way for people to express themselves through their hair.